A proverb is a succinct saying that teaches a principle or conveys a lesson or admonition. Often poetic, poignant, or both, their purpose is to cause us to ponder and ultimately internalize the principle/lesson/admonition and incorporate it into our lives. They are important because their messages transcend time; indeed many of them are hundreds of years old but are just as applicable today as they were when they were first uttered.

Proverb Number One:

“We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors. We borrow it from our children.”

Why is this such an important proverb? It’s important because it reminds us that our time here is temporary; that our known world is a product of those who came before and reflects their mindfulness and stewardship. The world our children and grandchildren will live in will reflect our mindfulness and stewardship (whether careful or careless).

Proverb Number Two:

“A society grows great when men plant trees whose shade they know they will never sit in.”

Why is this such an important proverb? It’s important because when we, as a people, work at benefiting others rather than only ourselves, everyone benefits (including ourselves!). There are so many little things we can do today–the results of which we may not see in our lifetimes–that will have a positive impact on the future.

In a word, these two proverbs reflect altruism. The work of conservation, of sustainability, of environmentalism is largely altruistic, not egocentric. To effect the greatest change, we must all be willing to step outside of ourselves and ask, “How will this affect others?” rather than, “How will this affect me?” or “What’s in it for me?”

Bonus Proverb:

“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.”

But of course we’re not just talking about literally planting trees. We’re talking about the “green” movement as a whole. The best time to start cultivating mindfulness was years ago, but it is never too late!

Here at ecogoodz we are in the business of wholesale used clothing. We move vast quantities of used clothing, used shoes, bulk linens, and more. We send these items overseas to developing nations where they can be distributed, boosting local economies. Our work has kept millions of pounds of textiles out of landfills across the nation. We couldn’t do that without your continued efforts in donating to thrift stores and charities. Thank you! Remember that nearly 100% of textiles are recyclable in some way; gently used items can be donated and with a little research, you can find places willing to accept even torn and/or stained items and single shoes.